is 1300 calories too little?

xxPEANUTxx
xxPEANUTxx Posts: 15
edited January 1 in Health and Weight Loss
I am 5'2", 20 years old,female and 132 pounds. I want to be around 120.
I always thought that 1200-1300 was okay for me but now I have been reading that I may be starving myself?
How do you know? Isn't everyone different with how much their body needs? like compared to another person who is a similar height, age and weight as me? I can do 1200-1300 calories a day and I only run three times a week (I know that that isn't a lot. I am doing the c25k)
but yeah. I don't feel like I am starving through out the day
I eat 3 meals at about 300-400 calories with snacks in between and drink at least 8 cups of water.
Is this bad? Should I up my intake? even if I feel good on 1200-1300 calories a day?

Please and thank you! I want to be healthy! I do not want to be starving myself!

Replies

  • angiechimpanzee
    angiechimpanzee Posts: 536 Member
    Okay, first off lets make sure we're talking about net calories, as in, if you work out and burn 300 one day, eat 1500 not 1200.

    Secondly, I'm 5'2 and 126! And I aim for a 1200 net. I think the reason people are like "DONT DO 1200 YOU'RE STARVING YOURSELF" is because most people on here are taller and larger and need more calories. But when I check how much I need to net to lose 2lbs a week, most calculators say something between 700 & 900 which is TINY. I'm sure 1200 is enough for us.
  • Lady_Bane
    Lady_Bane Posts: 720 Member
    It depends upon the type of workouts you are doing too.
    I ate 1300 when I was doing cardio.
    I eat around 1700-2200 now that I am lifting.
  • xxPEANUTxx
    xxPEANUTxx Posts: 15
    Okay, first off lets make sure we're talking about net calories, as in, if you work out and burn 300 one day, eat 1500 not 1200.

    Secondly, I'm 5'2 and 126! And I aim for a 1200 net. I think the reason people are like "DONT DO 1200 YOU'RE STARVING YOURSELF" is because most people on here are taller and larger and need more calories. But when I check how much I need to net to lose 2lbs a week, most calculators say something between 700 & 900 which is TINY. I'm sure 1200 is enough for us.

    yeah that is what I was thinking. Cause I feel fine with that amount of calories. and I make sure to eat back most of my calories I burn when I work out.
    Thank you very much! =)
  • xxPEANUTxx
    xxPEANUTxx Posts: 15
    It depends upon the type of workouts you are doing too.
    I ate 1300 when I was doing cardio.
    I eat around 1700-2200 now that I am lifting.

    Oh okay well I am just running so I will stick to 1300
    I am going to start weight training in the new year so I will up my calories then.
    Thank you! =)
  • DinaLKeil
    DinaLKeil Posts: 95 Member
    I'm 5'7"...169 this morning. My doctor told me last week to do 1300 calories...1500 if I exercise. Seems simple. I'm gonna try it. Been doing the MFP way for quite a while (eating calories back,etc.) I've been up and down with tracking and weight too. Anyway...if 1300-1500 is ok for someone my height....I would assume it's ok for you? :)
  • magj0y
    magj0y Posts: 1,911 Member
    I'm 5'7"...169 this morning. My doctor told me last week to do 1300 calories...1500 if I exercise. Seems simple. I'm gonna try it. Been doing the MFP way for quite a while (eating calories back,etc.) I've been up and down with tracking and weight too. Anyway...if 1300-1500 is ok for someone my height....I would assume it's ok for you? :)

    if you want a .5lb weight loss, have a deficit of 250 cals a day.
    If you want to lose 1lb a week, a 500 cal deficit.


    I'm 5'8, go between 140/135, and can easily be satisfied on 1200 in a day and not feel weak or anything like that, even if I exercised. It depends on how healthy I eat.
    If you have a set jogging schedule, check out zigzag calorie calculator, it can help give you an idea on how to eat more on those days, less on others, and still come out with a 3,500 cal deficit (1 lb) at the end of the week.
  • Di3012
    Di3012 Posts: 2,247 Member
    I am 5'2", 20 years old,female and 132 pounds. I want to be around 120.
    I always thought that 1200-1300 was okay for me but now I have been reading that I may be starving myself?
    How do you know? Isn't everyone different with how much their body needs? like compared to another person who is a similar height, age and weight as me? I can do 1200-1300 calories a day and I only run three times a week (I know that that isn't a lot. I am doing the c25k)
    but yeah. I don't feel like I am starving through out the day
    I eat 3 meals at about 300-400 calories with snacks in between and drink at least 8 cups of water.
    Is this bad? Should I up my intake? even if I feel good on 1200-1300 calories a day?

    Please and thank you! I want to be healthy! I do not want to be starving myself!

    1300 is fine as is 1200. You will not starve on those amounts and neither will you have to remain on that amount of calories for life.
  • buzzcogs
    buzzcogs Posts: 296 Member
    I think if you feel good and not weak and can manage your runs you are doing fine. Your amount of activity sounds fine! Keep up the good work!
  • SoDamnHungry
    SoDamnHungry Posts: 6,998 Member
    1200 seems fine to me. Just eat back your exercise calories.

    I do 1300 plus exercise calories and I'm almost 5'7''. If I felt hungry, I would eat more.
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